CONCORA Singers - Feel the Spirit
|
SOPRANO
Nancy Hemstreet Eaton Louise Fauteux Stacey S. Grimaldi Jennifer Ferrand-Kelly Jennifer Lamson Christine Fote Macaluso |
Sopranos
|
Soprano Nancy Hemstreet Eaton says singing is like being “caught up with other people in a moment of grace” (credit Garrison Keillor). She has loved to sing since she was a small child and has never stopped, continuing today in CONCORA and the Choir of St. John’s Church, West Hartford. Special thrills were performances in England’s Canterbury Cathedral and at Chartres Cathedral in France. She has degrees in music from Goucher College and Yale University, where she studied voice with Shirley Meier. As an organist-choir director, she served several area churches. When not traveling across oceans, she enjoys spending time in Kennebunk Beach, Maine, with family and friends. Back to the singers list
|
|
Louise Fauteux, soprano, enjoys a diversified career in the arts devoted to education and performance. Highlights of her career include a solo role in Peer Gynt with the New York Philharmonic and a tour of Venice with DiCapo Opera, and leading opera roles in The Magic Flute, Hansel and Gretel, and Dido and Aeneas. 2022 marks her debut at Carnegie Hall with Handel’s Messiah. Locally she is often featured with Con Brio, Alchemy, the Worcester Chorus, and the New Haven Chorale. Ms. Fauteux received her master’s degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College. She is a resident artist for the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford and music instructor for the Connecticut Technical High Schools. She welcomes visitors to her website: www.louisefauteux.com
Back to the singers list |
|
Jennifer Ferrand-Kelly, soprano, is pleased to be singing with CONCORA for her 17th season. She performs regularly with VOCE and has appeared with the Hartford Chorale and the Greater Middletown Chorale and its chamber ensemble Alchemy. Recent solo appearances include Bach’s Mass in B Minor with the Worcester Chorus. She can be heard on recordings including In Delightful Company: Choral Works by Charles Fussell with CONCORA, and Sure on the Shining Night, Music of the Spheres, and Blessing: The Music of Paul Mealor with VOCE. Jennifer completed an undergraduate degree in vocal performance at the State University of New York at Geneseo and is currently a psychologist working for Hartford HealthCare. She lives in Glastonbury with her husband and two children. Back to the singers list
|
|
Stacey S. Grimaldi, soprano, enjoys her work as Choir Director at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Orange, cantor at funerals and weddings throughout Connecticut, Vocal Section Leader with the Hartford Chorale, and as a member of the professional High Holy Days choir at Congregation Beth Israel, West Hartford. A CONCORA member since 1992, she was the soprano in CONCORA-to-Go from 1999-2020. She was a principal chorister with Connecticut Opera for many years and has also appeared on stage with Artful Living Productions, Ivoryton Playhouse, and Blue Fire Stage Company. Ms. Grimaldi holds a Bachelor of Arts in French language and translation from Oberlin College. When not singing or conducting, she applies her love of language as a freelance medical blogger for Blue Orchid Marketing. Back to the singers list
|
|
Soprano Jennifer Lamson, has been described by the New London paper, The Day, as having "a crystalline voice, pure and unadorned." Jennifer can be found on recordings such as The Voice of the Archangel with Archangel Voices, What Child Is This? with Chorus Angelicus and Gaudeamus, as well as Voce Live, Sure on this Shining Night, and Music of the Spheres with VOCE. Jennifer is a current and founding member of VOCE as well as section leader at Immanuel Congregational Church. Jennifer has also worked under such composers and conductors as Morten Lauridsen, Ola Gjielo, Paul Mealor, Paul Halley, Steven Sametz, Charles Bruffy, and Paul Salamunovich. Jennifer is a music educator in Wallingford, CT.
Back to the singers list |
|
Soprano Christine Fote Macaluso holds a Bachelors and a Master’s Degree in Music Education from Central Connecticut State University. While at CCSU, she was a member of the prestigious University Singers and had the honor to perform under the direction of Dr. Pamela J. Perry. Christine teaches general music and chorus for Glastonbury Public Schools where she frequently hosts student teachers from both the HARTT School and CCSU. She has studied voice with Barbara Pierce and Joanne Scattergood. When not singing, she can most likely be found somewhere in Disney World or planning her next trip with her very supportive husband and their three children. Back to the singers list
|
Altos
|
Katherine Henriques, mezzo-soprano, is currently in her junior year at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU). A member of CCSU's choral studies program, she is currently studying under Dr. Gaylon Robinson. In February she and classmates joined CONCORA singers to perform "Feel the Spirit: The Legacy of Moses Hogan." She was called back to perform for "A Passion for the Planet." Katherine thanks her family and dear friends for support her artistic and scholastic pursuits. Back to the singers list
|
|
Linda Helmke, mezzo-soprano, is passionate about choral music. She holds BS and MS degrees in Vocal/General Music Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She served as choral director at high schools in Illinois and New Jersey, and currently teaches at the CREC Academy of Science and Innovation in New Britain, CT. She has performed with the Park Forest Singers, IL; Cantabile, NJ; and the Pro Arte Festival Chorus, CT. Mrs. Helmke has also performed as soloist for community oratorio productions and church cantatas. She looks forward to another wonderful musical season with CONCORA! Back to the singers list
|
|
Kelley Elizabeth Kelly, mezzo-soprano, finds great joy in geekdom, martinis, and singing with CONCORA. A church singer since she could first hold a hymnal open, she believes singing is praying twice and is currently holding down the fort as a cantor at Hartford’s beautiful Christ Church Cathedral. Much to her parents’ everlasting chagrin (they wanted an economist), Kelley earned a bachelors in music from Smith College, which she followed with graduate work in fine art photography at RIT, a certification to teach Zentangle, and a commitment to be herself. She lives in Newington with her husband, three feisty teenagers, and an even feistier cat.
Back to the singers list |
|
Mezzo-soprano Cynthia Mellon joined CONCORA in 2001. Her formal training took place at the Cleveland Institute of Music and University of Connecticut. Cynthia has performed with The Cleveland Orchestra, Robert Page Singers, the Hartford Symphony, Connecticut Opera, New Britain Opera, Opera Theatre of Connecticut, and as a frequent choral soloist. She is currently alto soloist and section leader at South Church in New Britain and has sung in the High Holy Days ensemble at Beth Israel in West Hartford since 2001. Cynthia has two daughters and two granddaughters. A certified veterinary technician by day, she helps her very supportive husband care for their eighteen pets back home. In her spare time, Cynthia paints, and she and her husband Rick love to kayak, bike, and garden. Back to the singers list
|
|
Debi Newirth, mezzo-soprano, attended the Hartt College of Music, where she majored in Opera Theater and Vocal Performance, where director Jack Zei once said she had been given “una voce d'oro." She performed as an AGMA choral artist with Connecticut Opera in eight productions during and following college. A Robert E. Smith award winner in the COA Scholarship competition, Debi has been performing in both choral and solo settings since she was seven years old--most recently with the chamber ensemble Alchemy. Debi has also appeared with the GMChorale, the VOCE core concert choir, and previously participated in CONCORA summer symposiums. After waiting several years for audition opportunities to arise, she is thrilled to be joining the CONCORA roster. Back to the singers list
|
|
Margaret Tyler has been a soloist with countless ensembles in the U.S. and Europe. She is currently in seven professional choirs and has been featured on many recordings. For the premiere of Meneely-Kyder’s Letter From Italy, 1944, Margaret was chosen to portray “Dorothea” and is featured in the opera documentary, narrated by Meryl Streep. She created “The Goddess Diana” in the premiere of Montgomery’s opera-oratorio Callisto. She has brought to life roles such as “Filippyevna” in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, “Mercedes” in Bizet’s Carmen, “Marcellina” in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, “Marthe Schwerlein” in Gounod’s Faust, and “Kate Pinkerton” in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. Margaret is a vocal coach and voice teacher, and lead singer at Calvary Church in Stonington, Connecticut. Back to the singers list
|
Tenors
|
Travis Benoit, tenor, from Worcester, MA received his Master of Music Degree from Manhattan School of Music in spring of 2020. Previous credits include Joseph Haydn’s The Creation (Uriel) with Providence Singers, The Passion According to Saint Luke (The Evangelist), Composer William David Cooper’s New Work, The Pirates of Penzance (Frederic) with The Valley light Opera Company, and Die Zauberflöte (Tamino) with Nahant Music Festival as a vocal apprentice. A concert soloist and recitalist throughout New England, he was selected to sing in Thomas Hampson Masterclass hosted by MSM in 2019. His current ensembles include CONCORA, EnsembleNYC, Providence Singers, Worcester Chorus, Vox Futura. Travis is adjunct vocal faculty with Phillips Academy in Andover as well as Choral Ensemble assistant at Endicott College in Beverly, MA. Back to the singers list
|
|
Tenor Michael Bogatay graduated from the Hartt School with a Bachelor of Arts in Voice Performance. While at Hartt, he studied with Brenda Lewis, Richard Foster, and Bob Hess. Michael has performed with Connecticut Opera, Connecticut Opera Express, The Hartford Chorale and various community theaters in the area. Some favorite roles include Charlie in Brigadoon, Jake in Three Penny Opera and Snake, Balladeer and Narrator in The Apple Tree. He lives in Canton with his lovely and very supportive wife Alison.
Back to the singers list |
|
Tenor Richard Diamond is Director of Vocal Music at Ellington High School and also works with the Connecticut Music Educators Association's Equity and Advocacy Committee. He has been section leader with the Hartford Chorale and served as choir director and section leader at St. James Episcopal Church in Farmington. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Mathematics from Bowdoin College, a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the New England Conservatory, and Sixth-Year Certification in Educational Leadership from Central Connecticut State University. Back to the singers list
|
|
Steven A. Mitchell is recognized as a distinguished choral conductor, teacher, and soloist. As Director of Choral Music at Kingswood Oxford School in West Hartford, he leads seven vocal ensembles in both the Middle School and Upper Schools. His solo credits include The Miami Bach Society, Florida Grand Opera, Miami Symphony, CONCORA, Connecticut Concert Opera, VOCE, and New World Symphony Orchestra. Conducting credits: The Miami Boy Choir, University of Miami Chorale & Men’s Choir, Hartt Suzuki Institute, Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Northern & Southern CT Regional Honor Choirs, and numerous school and religious organizations. As a community leader, Steve collaborates with local arts organizations, adjudicates for Fantastic Festivals, and is co-founder and technical director of the magical Hartford event NightFall, which showcases talented artists from Greater Hartford.
Back to the singers list |
|
Peter Perkins has sung baritone and tenor for CONCORA since 1985. He currently teaches high school and middle school choral music in Litchfield and is music director for the music theater productions. From 1993 to 2009 he was the Director of Music at the Westminster School in Simsbury and started his career at Tremper High School in Wisconsin. Mr. Perkins holds a Bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Connecticut and a Master’s degree in choral conducting from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He is a section leader for Crescendo and has been a soloist and section leader for area churches, the Hartford Chorale, and the Eastern Orthodox recording choir Archangel Voices. Back to the singers list
|
Basses
|
Bass Jonathan Clune earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and Latin from Yale where he also studied music theory and composition. In New York City, he sang with Cappella Nova, an acclaimed early music ensemble led by Richard Taruskin. Jon arranged many popular and folk song settings for a street quartet where he met his wife, CONCORA mezzo-soprano Sarah Potter. He has served as soloist and section leader for Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford and South Congregational Church in New Britain, and currently performs with Voce.
Back to the singers list |
|
Ken Downes, baritone, is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, where he studied bassoon, saxophone, and voice. He has performed in the Montage Chamber Singers, Cantillare, The Cantata Singers and with a general business band. When not singing, he is office manager for his wife’s legal practice and part-time Hospice Chaplain. Ken resides in the village of Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. Back to the singers list |
|
Bass Evan Lambert has been a proud member of CONCORA since 2011. He completed his undergraduate degree in Vocal Music Education at The Hartt School. Evan spent 6 years working for Ledyard Public Schools teaching general music and high school choir. In 2015, Evan made a career change and transitioned into the golf industry. Currently, he is the PGA Director of Instruction at Tumble Brook Country Club and operates the EJL Golf Academy. His primary focus is junior player development and has applied his love and passion for teaching to junior and adult golf instruction. Although his occupation has changed, Evan is fortunate to have the opportunity to experience the joy of music with CONCORA. Evan resides in Newington with his wife, Lauren and his daughter, April. Back to the singers list
|
|
Bass Ethan Nash is Director of Choirs at Glastonbury High School and Artistic Director of the West Hartford Women’s Chorale. He holds a B.A. in Music from Yale University and a D.M.A. in Choral Conducting from Hartt School. Ethan is a songleader at Temple Sinai in Newington and has been a cantorial soloist at Beth Hillel Synagogue in Bloomfield and at Yale University. Ethan worked at Wesleyan University’s Center for Creative Youth in the Musical Theater department from 2004-2016. He has also previously served on the faculty of School of the Holy Child (Rye, NY), Hartford Conservatory, Middlesex Community College and Hartwick College Summer Music Festival. Ethan lives in Wethersfield with his wife, Danica and their two sons, Ari and Elliot. Back to the singers list
|
|
Andrey Stolyarov, baritone, is excited to be singing with CONCORA for his sixth season. Andrey is a Russian-born American composer, conductor, singer, and educator. As a composer, he has received national and international recognition for his works. Andrey is an adjunct professor of music theory at The Hartt School and Capital Community College, and is the Minister of Music at Gilead Congregational Church in Hebron, Connecticut. He is an active professional singer, currently performing with CONCORA, Voce, and the Composers Choir. Andrey is published under Darushkii Publishing and NoteNova Publishing. More information can be found at http://www.andreystolyarov.com/, and you can find his music at https://youtube.com/darushkii as well as https://andreystolyarov.bandcamp.com/
Back to the singers list |
|
Jermaine Otis Woodard Jr (Virginian-baritone & recording-artist) is devoted to a diversified professional performing career in choral, opera, musical-theatre, oratorio, contemporary-inspirational, jazz, liturgical, and sacred music. Along with CONCORA, Woodard actively serves on the roster of: Voce (Signum records); Voices of Concinnity (Consonare Chamber Ensemble); Crescendo; Cathedral of Saint Joseph’s Schola Cantorum/Cathedral Quartet; Berkshire Opera Festival Chorus; premier recording ensembles Composer’s Choir and Vox Futura, and the newly-emerged Voices of Hartford. Woodard serves as Baritone section-leader/soloist at Asylum Hill Congregational Church and The Hartford Chorale; also serving on the board-of-governors with The Hartford Chorale and Consonare. Jermaine cantors at Sacred Heart Parish of Bloomfield, Cathedral of St. Joseph’s, University of Saint Joseph’s, and Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center (West Hartford). Back to the singers list
|